I Definitely Want to Visit Korea! - Global Wow Korea Event

I am a travel junkie and I have been to many places within the Philippines but I have not gone outside the country (I feel sorry for my empty passport). If you are going to ask me which country do I want to visit first, only one place comes to my mind - SOUTH KOREA.
But why South Korea? Read my story below:

South Korea has been very close to my heart since 2010. I remember when my friend showed me his phone gallery full of downloaded music videos with Koreans in it. I have no idea of k-pop back then.

My friend introduced me to a lot of k-pop groups but only one group caught my eye - Super Junior. Basically, they started it all, why I love everything about South Korea.

Super Junior with their famous dance move

I haven't seen them personally. They've been to the Philippines a couple of times but since I am still studying back then and have no enough money to buy tickets, I am stuck on watching them on YouTube. I once told myself that if I have the chance to visit Korea, I will find a way to see Super Junior. I know this is impossible as of now since the group is on hiatus, having most of their members enlisted (my bias Ryeowook included). But just going to their owned business establishments (Mouse Rabbit, and Haru and One Day to name a few) will give me satisfaction. Visiting SMEnt office building, SM TOWN at COEX Artium and Star Avenue will do. Nevertheless, I am not losing hope. I may still see the active members like Leeteuk, Heechul, Yesung and Kyuhyun. *crossed fingers*

This is where dreams come true.

SMTOWN

Ryeowook's hand prints at Star Avenue. I miss him badly!

Wrote a letter to my Korean military man. ㅋㅋㅋ #11yearswithSuperJunior pic.twitter.com/DqD9Z6eWFG

— Chel Ducabo (@heyyyymich) November 5, 2016

It's been already 6 years and a lot of new groups sprouting up. I am actually also spazzing on younger groups like EXO and NCT Dream. But still, no other k-pop groups can replace Super Junior in my heart. I swear as an ELF that my love for them is EVERLASTING.

SUPER JUNIOR = LEGENDS = THE LAST MAN STANDING

Another reason to visit South Korea is to see for myself the filming locations of my favorite k-dramas. I bloody love K-dramas! The very first k-drama that I watched was Lovers in Paris. That was 2004 when it was aired on our local channel. Since then, my love for k-drama was triggered. I've watched Tagalog subbed k-dramas like Save the Last Dance for Me (Ji Sung oppa 😍), Princess Hours, My Fair Lady, Three Dads and One Mommy, Boys Over Flowers (Lee Min Ho oppa 😍), Perfect Match (Lee Min Ho oppa again), Cinderella's Sister (Taecyeon oppa 😍), Pure Love, Bel Ami (Jang Geun Suk oppa 😍) to name a few.

After graduating, I've been busy working so I stopped watching for a while. It was August this year when I started watching k-dramas again. The first drama that I watched after a long hiatus was Hey Ghost, Let's Fight. I watched it because Taecyeon was there. ㅋㅋㅋ Then I watched W - Two Worlds, Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo (my favorite. Lee Joon Gi oppa 😍), Moonlight Drawn by Clouds, and She Was Pretty (my stress reliever. Jackson!). As of now, I am currently watching Descendants of the Sun (it isn't too late to watch it) and the ongoing k-drama Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok Joo.

The list of the k-drama filming locations that I want to visit are as follows:

Namsan Park

Namsan Park during winter

Screen shot of the scene in Boys Over Flowers. Namsan Tower on the background.

Grand Hyatt Hotel Seoul Skating Rink

What a lovely sight!

Double date with Gu Jun Pyo, Geum Jan Di, So Yi Jung and Ga Eul.

Banpo Bridge Rainbow Fountain

The world's longest bridge fountain.

Video shows the Moonlight Rainbow Show as witnessed by Geum Jan Di and Yoon Ji Hoo

Bukchon Hanok Village

Winter at Bukchon Hanok Village

Scene wherein Kae In and Jin Ho were walking on the streets of Bukchon Hanok Village.

Baekje Cultural Land

Time travel to Goryeo Dynasty

4th Prince Wang So

Gyeongbokgung Palace

Scene from Rooftop Prince

and of  course, Nami Island

Winter Sonata! Jeong Yu Jin and Kang Jun Sang

Other than that, I also want to experience some other things in Korea:

Get to wear a Hanbok

This is included on my bucket list! I want to dress up like Hae Soo while exploring the traditional palaces. ㅋㅋㅋ

Try winter sports activities such as Skiing, Snowboarding and Sledding

Those kinds of activities for an adrenaline junkie like me is a must!

Visit Everland

I would love to try T-express (I've know this when I watched Celebrity Bromance featuring Ryeowook and ZE:A's Hyungsik) but I heard that it closes during autumn and winter. Nevertheless, I want to see Everland on winter, when it is filled with Christmas decorations.

Go foodtripping!

A visit in a new place isn't complete without trying out their popular delicacies. The food that i want to try first is Tteokbokki. I am always curious on how it tastes like. They say it is spicy but nothing beats having a first hand experience of eating Tteokbokki. Since I am into spicy foods, I think I would definitely love it.

I also want to try other korean winter street foods like Odeng, Bunggeopang, Hoppang, Hotteok.

Experience Jjimjilbang

I've already went to a jjimjilbang in the Philippines but I also want to try the legit ones in Korea.

Korean yaya 😂😂😂 #goingkorean #tb

The question is, will all these be possible? Well, it is possible with WOWKOREA. How? See mechanics below:

What are you waiting for? Join now! Who knows? We might actually win and spend winter in Korea. *crossed fingers*

Winter is coming to Korea, and so am I! Claiming it.




Photos and video above belong to its rightful owners. Click on the photos and video to view source.

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Free McDonald's Cheeseburger!

Want free cheeseburger? Just follow the simple steps below:

Full Promo Mechanics:

1.     Promo period is extended until June 20, 2016.
2.     The new user must download the McDo PH app, which can be downloaded from the App Store(for iOS users) and Play Store (for Android users)
3.     The New User may enter the MICHELD502 promo code after successfully signing up.
4.     Entering of the MICHELD502 promo code will be a one-time event only—upon registration, and if process is skipped, user can no longer enter the promo code.
5.     Once the promo code has been successfully entered, the new user will be rewarded a. Free Cheeseburger Coupon which will be located in the Coupons page of the app.
6.     To claim free cheeseburger, user must add the coupon in his cart through the app.

Terms and conditions apply. Per DTI -FTEB SPD Permit No. 2864. Series of 2016.

giveaways philippines giveaways ph

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My Adventure Playlist

After 3 months of mountain climbing hiatus, I am finally seeing the mountains again! I will be on Mt. Ulap this Sunday and I am planning to create my very 1st video documentation of our climb which I will upload on YouTube and share here on my blog.

Eager to create an awesome video documentation, I tried searching for songs that I can use as background music for my vid. I really cannot decide which song to use since there are lots of songs that are suitable for my vid. So I just decided to create a playlist (of sorts) para hindi naman sayang yung mga itatapon kong songs. LOL

So what is my basis for my adventure playlist? Well, if you will google "adventure playlist", most of the suggested songs are about travelling, places, etc. But adventure playlist should not just or only be like that. For me, an adventure playlist does not have to be about places but must be something that makes you feel upbeat and energetic, makes you sing along and sway your head while still keeping a relaxed feel.

So here are the songs that made it to my playlist (in no particular order):

Owl City - To The Sky

"Travel light, let the sun eclipse you

'Cause your flight is about to leave

And there's more to this brave adventure

Than you'd ever believe"

Timeflies - Once In A While

"But once in a while, I catch myself

Once in a while, I ask myself

What am I doing?

Once in a while, I need your help

But once in a while I feel like

I just wanna dance

I feel good, I feel good

I feel good, I feel good"

Panic! At The Disco - Ready To Go

"So tell me right now

You think you're ready for it

I wanna know 

Why you got me going

So let's go

We'll take it out of here

I think I'm ready to leap

I'm ready to live"

KYKO - Animals

"Maybe we're like animals

Running wild through this fire

Wanna take off

From the night

Let's get it all wrong"

Simple Plan - Singing in the Rain

"I’ve got a song in my heart and I’m bulletproof

There’s nothing in the world that’s gonna kill this mood

No matter what life wants to throw my way

I’ll be singing, I’ll be singing in the rain"

Tracy Chapman - Fast Car (Radio edit by Jonas Blue featuring Dakota)

"So remember when we were driving driving in your car
Speed so fast I felt like I was drunk
City lights lay out before us
And your arm felt nice wrapped 'round my shoulder
And I had a feeling that I belonged
I had a feeling I could be someone, be someone, be someone"

John Mayer - No Such Thing

"I want to run through the halls of my high school
I want to scream at the top of my lungs
I just found out there's no such thing as the real world
Just a lie you've got to rise above"

Will update this once I found another song that suits my taste. :)

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Admin Team Goes to Puting Buhangin Beach and Kwebang Lampas

Puting Buhangin Beach and Kwebang Lampas located at Brgy. Ibabang Polo, Pagbilao, Quezon Province.

Summer definitely started early for the CNX Admin Team. I am not supposed to go with the team because my wallet is already crying. Blame it on my Mt. Pulag and Batangas trip plus I just recently bought a watch. But I got some colleagues who, on the very last hour, persuaded me to join them. My heart, my mind, and my wallet has a firm stand of not going but my itchy feet prevailed. My feet are easy to be cajoled.

Going there

Since we are 18 in the group, we decided to rent a van. From Eastwood QC, we took the Manila East route (passing through Rizal, Laguna and Quezon) instead of the usual SLEX route. This route, though loaded with zigzags, is a good venue for roadtrip and side trips as well. You may stop off at Pililla Wind Farm in Rizal, take a picture beside the Lumban, Laguna's marker and have a pancit habhab feast at Luisiana, Laguna.

For those who will commute... (source)

Bus Option To Lucena 
Take a bus en route to Lucena (either from Buendia or Cubao) and get off at Lucena Grand Central Terminal. From the terminal there are vans and jeepneys going to Pagbilao. Manila to Lucena Bus fare is around Php 209.00, one-way fare.
Second Route is to take a bus going directly to SM Lucena.
You may want drop by SM Lucena to buy supplies before heading to Pagbilao.
There are jeepneys from SM Lucena Going to Pagbilao Market terminal. Fare is 15.00.
You can also buy supplies at a public market near the terminal.


From the Lucena Grand Central Terminal 
Take a jeep ride bound for Brgy. Polo for Php 35.00.
Tell the driver that you are going to Lukang Beach (Lukang Beach is the old name of Kwebang Lampas).
Once in Brgy Polo, you can hire tricycle going to the Kwebang Lampas Registration area.
Tricycle drivers are charging around Php 200-250.00 one way, to bring you to the registration area.
We met a Tricycle driver, name is Tolits (will send his number, if you need it) and his asking price is Php 150.00.
Price of course depends on number of pax and camping gears and supply you are bringing.

Three options on going to the Beach from the Registration Area.
Walk all the way to the beach.
Boat ride to cross the lake, Php 20.00 Round Trip. Short hike to beach, approximately 15-30 mins.
Boat ride to cross the lake and rent a boat to take you and all your camping gears, food, water, etc to the beach. Prices vary, depends on your negotiation skill with the boatman.

 The option we chose is the boat ride + hike.

Tips

• You must bring a tent. But if you do not have one, caretakers offer tent rental.
• There is no electricity so make sure that you charged your phones and you have power banks as back up.
• Buy all your necessities before reaching the island. Although there is a store at the island, items cost a pretty penny. Like for example, a 355 ml C2 green tea costs 45php. Mahal!
• A pail of water costs *tumataginting* 50 php. So practice conservation of water. lol.

The Experience

A roughly 5-minute boat ride from the registration area to the beach.

Vitamin sea!

Tents along the beach strip.

Upon entering Kwebang Lampas.

Groufie at the other side of the cave.

Explore the other side of the cave and you'll see this beauty.

Lots of small fishes even on the shallow parts of the sea.

A night full of fun and drunk individuals. lol

Honestly, Puting Buhangin failed to impress me. Maybe because I already have a high standard due to lots of beaches I've been. But pwede na din for a quick escape from manila. But as what they say, it's not the place but the company. I really did enjoy because of my officemates' funny antics. There was no dull moment. This became an unforgettable trip because of them. :)

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Mt. Daraitan (with Tinipak River and Cave Side Trip)

MT. DARAITAN

Overview

Tanay, Rizal and General Nakar, Quezon
Major jumpoff: Brgy. Daraitan (village centre), Tanay
Minor jumpoff: Sitio Cablao Brgy. Pagsangahan, General Nakar
LLA: 14°36′48.5′′N 121°26′19.5′′ E, 739 MASL (+600)
Days required / Hours to summit: 1 day / 2.5-4 hours
Specs: Minor climb, Difficulty 4/9, Trail class 1-3
Features: Tropical forest, limestone formations, river trek

Info by Pinoy Mountaineer.

Itinerary

03:30 meetup Cubao Farmers

04:00 ETD Cubao to Tanay

07:00 ETA Daraitan River

07:30 ETA Daraitan jumpoff

08:30 Start Trek

11:30 Summit

12:30 Start descent, traverse to Tinipak river

14:30 ETA Tinipak river

15:30 ETA Tinpak cave

17:00 ETA jumpoff, tidy up

18:00 Headback to Cubao

20:00 ETA Cubao

Since Mt. Daraitan is tagged as "mother of all assaults", we made this our pre-climb mountain for our Mt. Pulag "expedition".

Although it is a minor climb and can still be hiked by beginners, climbing Mt. Daraitan is a no joke. Expect a lot of steep trails that can challenge your cardiorespiratory endurance.

Not to brag, but I did not have a hard time climbing Mt. Daraitan because I am well-prepared. I followed the tips by sir Gideon Lasco aka Pinoy Mountaineer - running, walking on a steep slope, and carbohydrate loading specifically. Also, thanks to the vines and man-made "railings" for not letting us slip. *wink emoticon*

River crossing

View from Daraitan Brgy Hall

If you see this signage, it means your close to the summit

See that heart-shaped river? That's Tinipak river.

De kwatro pa more!

After this, we went to Tinipak river and cave. One word to describe: breathtaking!

Heading to Tinipak river and cave

See! No filter needed!

Look at that, crystal clear waters!

Inside Tinipak cave. Water is ice cold but YOLO, so we dipped ourselves into it. Note: You need to bring flashlight or headlamps - you cannot see anything without it.

Ahon salute!

Photos by my colleagues from Ahon Mountaineering Club

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